Hiring unregistered Uchiha shinobi as guards, issuing assassination contracts with clan-defined mission ranks, and expanding cooperation in various business areas—including the explosive tag trade—these were all part of the proposal.
After reviewing the details, Fugaku Uchiha saw no major issues. Every aspect of the deal provided tangible benefits to the Uchiha Clan. The only condition he had to be wary of was accepting mission payments—such a move would have to be kept secret from Konoha.
Accepting private commissions would severely disrupt Konoha's mission system.
All shinobi, even those belonging to noble clans, were expected to take jobs through the village. While many clans had their own businesses, they did not take direct commissions for profit. Even when sending unregistered clan members on missions, they avoided charging for their services.
Otherwise, it would be a return to the Warring States Era, where feudal lords hired ninja clans to fight each other.
"Clan Head, should we accept the Keikou Trade Association's offer?" Uchiha Tekka asked after noticing Fugaku had been deep in thought for a long time.
Fugaku remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"Agree to it. However, decline the direct payment for missions—instead, fold it into the explosive tag trade."
---
Originally confined to a single province, the Keikou Clan had risen to power through a deal with Sunagakure, securing control over several major metal mines in the Land of Wind's desert region.
Now, even the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire had taken notice of the Keikou family's growing influence—and had developed a certain level of greed for the mines they had acquired.
Officially, six mines were known to belong to Keikou, Two iron, Two copper, One gold, One silver.
And that was just what had been disclosed—there were likely many more under their control.
For a single family to possess such vast mineral wealth, even within the Land of Fire, made them a force to be reckoned with.
This was precisely why Fugaku decided to engage with the Keikou family. It wasn't a gamble—just a way to expand Uchiha's external alliances.
If the nobility of the Land of Fire ever truly united, they could even challenge the Hokage's authority.
After witnessing the growing power of the Uzumaki Trade Association, Fugaku had made up his mind: the Uchiha needed to strengthen their ties with the nobles.
---
"Tekka, select three Jonin, five Chunin, and four Genin from the clan and form three teams to assist the Keikou family."
Tekka hesitated.
"Clan Head, do we really need three Jonin?"
The Uchiha Jonin were nearly all Three-Tomoe Sharingan users. The number of unregistered Three-Tomoe Uchiha was less than ten, while the rest were officially listed shinobi assigned to the Police Force—meaning they couldn't leave the village without approval.
Fugaku's voice was firm.
"We must show the Keikou family our sincerity. They have made it clear they want to build a strong alliance with us. If we reciprocate, we will earn their trust."
Right now, the Uchiha Clan was isolated within Konoha. Aside from a few minor clans that remained friendly, the Uchiha were being pushed to the sidelines.
If they didn't break this deadlock, their fate would not end well.
At the most recent clan meeting, some radical members had even suggested seizing the Hokage position by force.
Fugaku had shut that idea down immediately. If he hadn't, the discussion would have escalated, and the very next day, Konoha's leadership would have heard everything.
"This is just the beginning. Once we solidify this alliance, more opportunities for deeper cooperation will follow."
He sighed.
"The Kaikan family wouldn't approach us just to hand us free money. There's only one thing they'd be interested in our strength."
Tekka nodded.
"Understood, Clan Head."
As he left, Uchiha Itachi returned home from the Academy.
---
"Itachi, how was your day at the Academy?" Fugaku asked as his son sat across from him.
Itachi's expression was serious.
"Father, I plan to apply for early graduation."
Fugaku frowned slightly.
"Itachi, in times of peace, early graduation isn't easy to achieve."
"I understand, Father," Itachi replied calmly. "But if my skills are sufficient, it is possible."
Fugaku studied his son for a moment, then nodded.
"If that is your decision, then do it."
If Itachi graduated within a year of enrollment, he would become one of the youngest graduates in Konoha's history—second only to Kakashi Hatake.
And if that happened, it could boost the reputation of the Uchiha Clan—perhaps even serve as a stepping stone to changing their current predicament.
After discussing graduation, Itachi curiously asked about Tekka's visit.
Since the deal with the Kaikan Trade Association was a sensitive matter, Fugaku did not share the details. Instead, he brushed it off as something related to Police Force affairs.
Fugaku was moving cautiously.
The Keikou Trade Association was quickly becoming a major player, gaining influence over both the nobility and the shinobi villages.
And now, they were reaching out to both Konoha and Sunagakure.
Their true motives were still unclear.
---
Sunagakure
In the Kazekage's Office, Rasa once again met with Keikou Sanboku.
Although their previous transaction regarding medical talismans had left Rasa somewhat frustrated, subsequent deals had been more favorable for Sunagakure.
As a result, his previous dissatisfaction had faded.
"Mr. Kaikan," Rasa said, folding his arms, "What brings you here this time?"
Kaikan Sanboku smiled.
"Lord Kazekage, this concerns the medical talismans we previously sold to your village."
He continued, "Our head of the family is considering expanding the business, but after consulting several experts, they believe the market potential for medical talismans is weak."
"They argue that the talismans' value is too reliant on medical-nin, limiting their broader appeal…"
Rasa couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration.
'So that's where we went wrong...'
They had overlooked a key factor, which had resulted in being swindled out of a significant amount of money. Though he had forced himself to move past it, recalling the details now still made his blood boil.
Sunagakure is poor—losing that much at once was painful.
If not for the early success of his reforms, the village elders would have already been at his throat.
Kaikan Sanboku continued, "However, our head of the family refused to accept failure. He invested heavily to hire top medical experts, craftsmen, and specialists from the Uzumaki Trade Association, working together to develop a medical machine. Early trials show that it can replace about seventy percent of a medical-nin's capabilities."
Rasa's brow furrowed.
"A medical machine? What exactly is that?"
Kaikan smiled.
"Lord Kazekage, why not call in a few patients and let me demonstrate? I assure you, once you see it in action, you won't regret it. Oh, and it would be best to invite a few of your village's medical-nin as well."
Rasa studied Kaikan closely, but his face revealed nothing but a calm, confident smile.
Given that Sanboku's thought process was essentially being guided by AI, trying to read his expressions was pointless.
Eventually, Rasa ordered the ANBU to bring some injured individuals to the front of the Kazekage's Office. Soon, they arrived—not only wounded shinobi but also medical-nin, and even the retired Chiyo.
Upon arrival, Chiyo scowled at Rasa.
"Lord Kazekage, I've been retired for years. What was so urgent that you insisted on dragging this old woman here?"
"Lady Chiyo, there is no one in Sunagakure more knowledgeable about medical ninjutsu than you," Rasa said smoothly. "We need your expertise to evaluate something important*."
Then, lowering his voice, he added,
"The village's funds are limited—we can't afford to be scammed again."
Chiyo clicked her tongue but refrained from arguing.
---
With everything set, Keikou gestured to his bodyguard shinobi, who took out a storage scroll and released its contents.
Boom!
A large machine materialized before them—2.5 meters long, 2 meters wide and tall.
Chiyo muttered under her breath,
"A high-capacity sealing scroll… Even we don't have many of those. If we did, transporting supplies during wartime would be a lot easier."
Keikou turned to the injured.
"Please, lie down here."
After positioning them, he beckoned the medical-nin closer.
"This," Keikou began, "is arguably the greatest invention of the Keikou Trade Association—one destined to save countless lives."
He pointed at a section of the machine.
"This is the scanning function. Pressing this button initiates a full-body diagnostic scan on the patient. Watch closely—"
A soft hum filled the air as the machine activated.
"Here," Keikou continued, gesturing at the display, "you can see that it has identified the injuries. Not only that, but it also recommends specific treatment methods. Now comes the real magic…"
He pressed another button.
From the sides of the machine, two sleek, metallic arms extended, hovering over the injured shinobi's wounds.
A second later, a green glow emanated from their tips—a healing process initiated before their eyes.
The gathered Sunagakure shinobi watched in awe as the wounds began closing at a visible rate.
Keikou's voice carried a hint of excitement.
"As per the machine's calculations, the patient will be fully healed in three minutes."
Silence fell over the onlookers.
Even Chiyo, an expert in medical ninjutsu, stared intently as the machine worked.
Then, precisely at the three-minute mark, the mechanical arms retracted with a soft click.
And the injured shinobi?
Apart from freshly healed skin, there were no traces of his previous wounds.
Chiyo's eyes widened.
"Let's try this on a few more patients," she said, her voice carrying a rare note of enthusiasm.
"Of course," Keikou replied smoothly. "However, do note that the machine requires energy from medical talismans, as well as an electrical power source. That being said, if you follow the steps I demonstrated earlier, you'll be able to operate it yourself."
He stepped aside, allowing Chiyo to take control.
The elderly medical-nin meticulously repeated the process—first scanning, then treating two more patients.
The results were identical.
Impressed, she even cut her own arm and lay down to test the machine on herself.
Moments later, she sat up and flexed her healed arm.
"A remarkable device," she admitted. "This truly has the potential to replace medical-nin."
The machine could heal both internal and external injuries, diagnose underlying conditions, and treat most wounds.
Although it couldn't perform highly complex surgeries, for ordinary battlefield injuries, it rendered most medical-nin unnecessary.
Rasa turned to Chiyo.
"So? Your thoughts?"
She exhaled.
"If we had this machine during the Third Great Shinobi War… Sunagakure would have won against Konoha."
Her words sealed the deal.
A decisive gleam flashed in Rasa's eyes.
(End of Chapter)
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